International Nurses Day: Caring for nurses strengthens economy
According to the State of the World's Nursing 2025 report, published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the global nursing workforce has grown from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, but wide disparities in the availability of nurses remain across regions and countries. Inequities in the global nursing workforce leave many of the world's population without access to essential health services in some countries, which could threaten progress towards universal health coverage (UHC), global health security and the health-related development goals.
'Oman has achieved significant milestones in terms of excellence and many countries too need to ensure the satisfaction of this essential sector. This year's theme focuses on nurses' health and well-being and highlights the critical role of a healthy nursing workforce in supporting the overall healthcare system globally. I believe by implementing nurses' well-being first, healthcare systems can improve community outcomes and create more sustainable economies because every day is a Nurses Day,' says Alya al Hasani, a nurse with government healthcare.
Ferdinand Marco B Larena, Founding President of Philippine Nurses Association of Oman, Inc says 'I see your strength, I feel your sacrifices, and I celebrate your dedication. Your presence changes lives. You bring healing not only through your hands but also through your spirit — offering comfort in a language beyond words. Let today be a reminder that you are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated. You are not just nurses — you are leaders, caregivers, advocates and lifelines. The world may never fully grasp the depth of your work, but I do, and I honour you with all my heart'.
Mark Niño Galang, Mental Health Nurse, and Committee Chairperson, Philippine Nurses Association in Oman, Inc International Nurses Day 2025 honours the heart and dedication of nurses around the world with the theme 'Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies.' (International Council of Nurses). This message reminds all of us that when we support and care for us nurses by valuing our work, ensuring fair working conditions, and investing in our professional growth we not only improve lives but also help build stronger, healthier communities and economies. For nurses everywhere, it's a powerful reminder that our well-being matters, and that our care and compassion are the cornerstones of global health.
'Amidst their demanding roles, nurses need to ensure their personal well-being and quality patient care, as they are required to stay physically and mentally fit. They need to ensure they are physically active and to achieve this, they should exercise regularly and take time out for themselves. Walking, yoga and other exercises can help promote fitness. Also, eat a nutritious, balanced diet for better health,' says Salu Jose Mathew, Mental Health Nurse Educator with the MoH.
'Their mental wellbeing is equally important and they should perform deep breathing, meditation and mindfulness practices to calm their mind and indulge themselves in hobbies by engaging in activities of their liking and taking time out for 'me time. It will promote relaxation. Also, they need to plan their day and set reminders to avoid last-minute work stress,' she adds.
Chinnu Achuthan, Senior Staff Nurse, Prime Medical Centre LLC, Mabela North, Muscat feels that nursing is more than a profession and it's a calling to serve and heal.
'Every day, we strive to make a difference in patients' lives, offering comfort and support during their most vulnerable moments. We extend our gratitude to all nurses for their tireless efforts, especially during challenging times. Happy International Nurses Day! Let's continue to inspire and care with excellence.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
WHO demands more aid in devastated Gaza
GENEVA: The UN health agency on Tuesday said Israel should let it stock medical supplies to deal with a "catastrophic" health situation in Gaza before it seizes control of Gaza City. Israel has said its military would "take control" of Gaza City in a plan approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet that sparked a wave of global criticism. "We want to stock up and we all hear about 'more humanitarian supplies are allowed in' — well it's not happening yet, or it's happening at a way too low a pace", said Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization's representative in the Palestinian territories. Fifty-two per cent of medicines were running at zero stock, Peeperkorn said, speaking from Jerusalem. UN agencies warned last month that famine was unfolding in Gaza, with Israel severely restricting aid entry. Peeperkorn said the WHO was able to bring in fewer supplies than it wanted "due to the cumbersome procedures" and products "still denied" entry — a topic of constant negotiation with the Israeli authorities. "We want to as quickly stock up hospitals... following the news — the whole discussion about an incursion in Gaza", he said. "We currently cannot do that... We need to be able to get all essential medicines and medical supplies in". Peeperkorn said only 50 per cent of hospitals and 38 per cent of primary health care centres were functioning and that too partially. Bed occupancy has reached 240 per cent capacity in the Al Shifa hospital and 300 per cent Al Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza. "The overall health situation remains catastrophic", he said. "Hunger and malnutrition continue to ravage Gaza". Peeperkorn said 148 people died from the effects of malnutrition this year, citing August 5 as the cut-off date. Nearly 12,000 children aged under five were identified to be suffering from acute malnutrition in July — the highest monthly figure recorded to date in Gaza, Peeperkorn said. These include 2,562 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, of whom 40 were hospitalised at stabilisation centres. Meanwhile, Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes on Gaza City have intensified in recent days, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet approving plans to expand the war there. The Israeli government has not provided an exact timetable on when its forces would enter the area, but according to the civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal, air strikes on Gaza City have been increasing for the past three days. Bassal said the residential neighbourhoods of Zeitoun and Sabra have been hit "with very heavy air strikes targeting civilian homes, possibly including high-rise buildings". "For the third consecutive day, the Israeli occupation is intensifying its bombardment", said the spokesman. "The Israeli occupation is using all types of weapons in that area — bombs, drones and also highly explosive munitions that cause massive destruction to civilian homes", he added. Bassal said that at least 24 people had been killed across Gaza on Tuesday, including several casualties caused by strikes on Gaza City. "The bombardment has been extremely intense for the past two days. With every strike, the ground shakes. There are martyrs under the rubble that no one can reach because the shelling hasn't stopped", said Majed al Hosary, a resident in Zeitoun. Israel has faced mounting criticism over the 22-month-long war with Hamas, with United Nations-backed experts warning of widespread famine unfolding in besieged Gaza. Netanyahu is under mounting pressure to secure the release of the remaining hostages, as well as over his plans to expand the war, which he has vowed to do with or without the backing of Israel's allies. Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,499 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Gaza, whose toll the United Nations considers reliable. — AFP
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
EU says Israel failing to honour Gaza aid deal
Israel has not fully respected an agreement with the European Union to increase aid supplies to the civilian population in Gaza, the EU's diplomatic service has said. In a document sent by the European External Action Service (EEAS) to EU member states seen by dpa on Thursday, it is argued that the number of lorries entering the devastated coastal territory between the period of July 29 to August 4 was still 'below the agreed' figure with the EU in mid-July. Israel agreed with Brussels last month to step up aid to Gaza after heavy pressure from European countries. Yet according to the UN and aid organisations, Israel is also continuing to obstruct humanitarian operations and the delivery of aid supplies, the EEAS paper said. 'There is some degree of discrepancy between the figures provided by the UN and humanitarian actors, and those provided by Israel,' the document adds. Some positive steps have occurred, it argued. Fuel supplies, previously interrupted for 130 days, have resumed, while aid routes through Egypt, Jordan and the Zikim border crossing in northern Gaza have reopened. In addition, some important infrastructure facilities have been repaired. Nevertheless, the threat of famine persists for the 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza, the paper warned. Volunteers arrange parcels as trucks loaded with humanitarian aid await permission on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip, to enter the besieged Palestinians territory. - AFP Meanwhile, Gaza has seen its highest monthly figure of acute malnutrition in children, with hunger-related deaths rising in the enclave, the Director General of the World Health Organization said on Thursday. 'In July, nearly 12,000 children under five years were identified as having acute malnutrition in Gaza, the highest monthly figure ever recorded, says director general of world health organization,' said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at its headquarters in Geneva. At least 99 people have died, including 64 adults and 35 children, including 29 below 5-years old since the start of this year to July 29, Tedros said. Some 2,500 of those children are suffering from severe malnutrition, according to the WHO. 'The overall volume of nutrition supplies remains completely insufficient to prevent further deterioration. The market needs to be flooded. There needs to be dietary diversity,' said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO's representative for the occupied Palestinian Territory via video link. — dpa/Reuters
Observer
02-08-2025
- Observer
Oman offers a model integrated child healthcare: WHO
Oman has been making advances in childhood health care for more than 20 years, steadily moving from disease-specific vertical programmes to a coordinated, multidisciplinary system. The strategy has led to remarkable progress in child health and offers a model for integrated care, according to the World Health Organisation East Mediterranean Region (EMRO). Oman began implementing the integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1999. IMCI is a WHO strategy to reduce child mortality and morbidity by integrating preventive and curative interventions. By 2000, Oman had established a national IMCI programme and began forming a national committee and multisectoral working groups to implement WHO's IMCI guidelines tailored to national needs. The initial phase (1999–2001) involved policy-makers, health workers, and educators. Health professionals from nursing, immunization, nutrition, and health education collaborated to align efforts to address the health needs of children under 5. As the transition from vertical programmes to an integrated IMCI framework that addresses multiple child health needs gained traction, between 2002 and 2023, task forces and regional committees of health professionals - including paediatricians and family physicians – supported training programmes and developed national guidelines and standardized care protocols to ensure quality across facilities. By 2009, Oman had embedded IMCI into the curricula of nursing and medical schools, including the College of Health Sciences and Sultan Qaboos University, training health professionals in IMCI and enhancing sustainable capacity. Its IMCI integration into health education provides a replicable model. The transformation has delivered measurable results. According to WHO data, from 1970 to 2010, under-5 mortality declined from 181 to 11.8 deaths per 1000 live births. By 2020, it had fallen to 9.5 deaths per 1000 live births. Infant mortality fell from 118 to 9.7 per 1000 live births between 1970 and 2010, and to 8.5 by 2020. Reported cases of diarrhoeal illness among children under 5 decreased by about 25% between 2015 and 2020 (from approximately 85,000 to 63,000). Severe dehydration cases fell by about 25% – from 220 in 2015 to 165 in 2020. Acute respiratory infections (ARI) rates decreased, with severe cases falling from 9.5 per 1000 in 2015 to 3.5 per 1000 in 2020. Deaths attributed to ARI decreased from 30 in 2013 to 10 in 2020. National immunization coverage, supported by a robust vaccine safety monitoring system, was above 98% for all vaccines in 2023. The figures show how Oman's integrated strategy has enhanced child health through coordinated care and community engagement. Oman has incorporated IMCI into its Al Shifa electronic health records system, enabling continuous monitoring of maternal and child health, further facilitating coordinated care and supporting family-centred care delivery. In 2012, Oman's integrated approach was recognized with a United Nations Public Service Award for promoting gender-responsive public services. Regular workshops, national conferences, and publications disseminate Oman's IMCI experiences and advance global knowledge sharing. WHO's continued support, through technical assistance, training and policy guidance, has been key to maintaining progress. Oman's IMCI implementation has demonstrably improved child health outcomes and strengthened community health systems. As Oman continues to enhance its IMCI programme, its journey from vertical programmes to integrated clinical services, public health, education, and technology provides an exemplary model of how to improve child health outcomes and support sustained health improvement.
